Communication from the Commission to the Council, the European Parliament, the Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions on the implementation of the Community Strategy and Action Plan on Renewable Energy Sources (1998-2000)

Abstract

n November 1997 the European Commission adopted the Communication “Energy for theFuture: Renewable Sources of Energy” a White Paper for a Community Strategy and ActionPlan,1. The purpose of the White Paper on Renewable Energy Sources is to contribute, bypromoting renewable energy sources, to the achievement of the overall energy policyobjectives: security of supply, environment and competitiveness, and to improve andreinforce environment protection and sustainable development. In order to reach these goalsthe White Paper proposes to double the contribution of renewable sources of energy (RES) tothe European Union’s gross inland energy consumption establishing an indicative Communityobjective of 12% by 2010. The White Paper also contains a comprehensive Strategy andAction Plan setting out the means to reach this objective.In the White Paper the Commission undertook to produce every two years aCommunicationto the European Parliament, the Council, the Economic and Social Committee and theCommittee of the Regions evaluating progress made in the Community and in MembersStates. The Commission should, if appropriate, recommend new guidelines and/or newactionsif sufficient progress in the penetration of RES does not appear to be made.